D-Rays stumble again

July 7, 2005

CHICAGO -- RHP Jose Contreras won for the first time in nearly a month, DH Frank Thomas hit his second three-run home run in as many games and the Chicago White Sox handed the Tampa Bay Devil Rays their eighth consecutive loss, 7-2. . . . Contreras (4-5), who had been 0-3 since June 7, helped the White Sox complete the three-game sweep. . . . Thomas has 11 homers in 72 at-bats this season. . . . After watching the Devil Rays lose for the 10th time after taking a lead into the eighth inning Tuesday night, Manager Lou Piniella vowed to have a reliever pitch the first two innings and then bring in LHP Casey Fossum (3-7). By Wednesday afternoon, he had changed his mind. . . . White Sox 3B Joe Crede missed his second game in a row with a sore back. . . . With the White Sox resting Paul Konerko, RF Jermaine Dye made his major-league debut at first base.